Postmortem Care (Care of Body after Death)

STEPS RATIONALE
1. Straighten the body, placed dentures if the
patient has any, keep the mouth close and eyes
before rigor mortis sets in.
2. Remove all appliances, jewelry and endorse
properly.
3. Remove extra bed linen, pillows, and leave one
pillow under the head.
4. Move the body near your working area
5. Bath body aseptically with soap and water then
rinse with Lysol. Start from the face and include
the neck.
6. Then the upper extremities
7. Chest and abdomen
8. Back, start bathing from upper back or
shoulder towards the buttocks/ lower back
9. Lower extremities
10. Perineum (optional)
11. Change soiled dressings.
12. Inset cotton balls to the nose, vagina and
anus
13. Fold the hands to the chest or abdomen.
14. Place a tag

15. Tie the ankles together. Then, place a tag.

16. Turn the body away from you.
17. Lay sheet diagonally and spread the portion
of the sheet towards you.
18. Place incontinent pad at the back and
buttocks.
19. Turn the body again towards you.
20. Raise the side rail. Then, go back to your
working area (other side of the bed) and lower
the side rail.
21. Spread the rolled portion of the sheet. Then,
the incontinent pad.
22. Raise the side rail. Then, go back to your
working area (other side of the bed) and lower
the side rail.
23. Fold the sheet, covering the entire body part.
a. While covering, slowly remove the bath
blanket.
b. Cover starting from the foot, then body, and
head.
24. Pin on the head, center, and on the foot.
Place a tag.
25. Cover another sheet while waiting for the
Postmortem Care (Care of Body after Death)

messenger.
26. Do after care and wash hands.
27. Document
Time or cessation of vital signs
Person notified and time of notification
List and document valuable and personal effects
Time body removed from unit, destination and
removed by whom Other relevant information
28. Bring the cadaver to the morgue